UK decides against ban on Muslim Brotherhood, but says membership is 'indicator of extremism'

LONDON – A British government review has found that some members of the Muslim Brotherhood have supported violence, but concluded the organization shouldn't be banned.

Last year, Prime Minister David Cameron ordered Britain's intelligence agencies to investigate the philosophy and activities of the Islamist group.

The Brotherhood says it is a peaceful charitable and political organization, but it is considered a terrorist organization by Saudi Arabia and by Egypt, where Brotherhood leader Mohammed Morsi was ousted as president in 2013.

The British review concluded Thursday that "a minority of Muslim Brotherhood supporters in Egypt have engaged alongside other Islamists in violent acts."

It said that that membership in the group was "a possible indicator of extremism," but found its views and activities didn't meet the legal tests for a ban.